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Today, we're diving deep into the state of boss killing in patch 3.24. This update introduced a significant overhaul to Path of Exile's aspirational endgame, particularly focusing on the Uber versions of pinnacle bosses, their access methods, and other changes. Let's unpack what these changes entail and their implications for the player base.

Broad Overview and Opinions

First, let me state my position: I broadly like the changes in 3.24. They fixed many issues from the 3.18 to 3.23 era but also introduced new problems needing resolution in future patches. Before delving into specifics, there's a notable point of contention I want to address—the Uber Elder fight's naming convention.

Naming Confusion

The term "Uber Elder" was used to denote the peak endgame challenge back in patch 3.2. However, with the introduction of the even harder "Uber" versions of many bosses, the term has become confusing. This confusion is especially problematic for new players, who might misjudge the difficult progression from regular Uber Elder to Uber Shaper, for instance. Renaming the Uber Elder encounter to something distinct like "Decay Bane" or "Excision" could provide much-needed clarity.

Evolution of Boss Encounters: Pre-3.24 vs. Post-3.24

Pre-3.24 System

Before patch 3.24, pinnacle and Uber pinnacle bosses shared entry tokens. Activating a Shaper set in the map device would take you to either the Shaper (monster level 84) or Uber Shaper (monster level 85) depending on your Atlas allocations. While Uber versions dropped some exclusive items, the desirability of these PoE items varied greatly, influencing how often players chose to run these bosses.

The disparity in desirability meant some bosses were under-farmed while others, like Uber Maven, were highly sought after due to their lucrative loot pools. This system also led to a professionalization of boss killing, where players would trade for and run vast numbers of invitations, often leading to market flooding and reduced item values.

Issues with the Old System

  • Waste of Tokens: Non-Uber versions of bosses were often skipped unless needed for specific unlocks.

  • Difficulty Gap: A significant leap in difficulty between non-Uber and Uber versions with little middle ground.

  • Economic Impact: The high availability of boss drops devalued items and disrupts the trade economy.

The Overhaul in 3.24

New Access Methods

Patch 3.24 introduced distinct access keys for normal and Uber versions of bosses, obtained from Tier 17 map bosses. Defeating a Tier 17 map boss typically grants two fragments, and five fragments are required to access a pinnacle boss. This split ensures a more even distribution of boss encounters across the player base.

Fragment Drop Mechanics

Each Tier 17 map is biased toward dropping fragments for specific Uber bosses. For example, Abomination maps predominantly drop Uber Maven fragments. This system adds a layer of strategy and predictability to farming these bosses.

Detailed Changes and Implications

Fragment Drop Analysis

Data from extensive farming shows a clear bias in fragment drops, making some Uber bosses more accessible than others depending on the maps you run. For instance, Abomination maps yielded a significant number of Uber Maven fragments in player reports, highlighting the impact of map choice on boss farming efficiency.

Difficulty and Rewards Balance

One major positive of the 3.24 changes is the fresh challenge introduced by Tier 17 maps. These maps require well-rounded characters capable of handling both difficult trash phases and bosses, a shift from the previous era where specialized boss-killing builds dominated.

However, the increased difficulty and unpredictability of Tier 17 maps have also led to some discontent, particularly among players who were accustomed to farming boss access tokens with ease. The changes have made casual boss farming less viable, emphasizing the need for balanced, versatile builds.

Economic Impact

The introduction of Tier 17 maps has significantly influenced the in-game economy. The drop rates of high-value items like the Massive Thread of Hope have increased, leading to a decrease in their market Path Of Exile Currency value. This abundance of previously rare items has transformed the trade landscape, making some formerly exciting drops feel mundane.

Community Reactions and Proposals

The community's response to these changes has been mixed, with several suggestions on how to improve the current system:

  • Reverting to Pre-3.24 Model: Some players advocate for a return to the old system but with adjusted drop rates to maintain item value.

  • Beast/Breachstone Model: Another popular suggestion involves using a grind-based model similar to Breachstones, where repeated runs of the non-Uber version yield access to the Uber encounter. However, this approach risks making the process feel tedious and punitive.

  • Trade Friction and Accessibility: Proposals also include introducing mechanics to limit bulk trading of boss invitations, thus reducing the professionalization of boss farming without impacting casual players significantly.

The 3.24 patch has brought substantial changes to Path of Exile's endgame boss encounters, with a clear intent to balance difficulty and rewards while refreshing the content. While these changes have been largely positive in making the game feel new and challenging, they also present new hurdles and economic impacts that need addressing in future updates.

For many players, the key takeaway is that while the overhaul has succeeded in shaking up the meta and providing new challenges, there remains room for refinement, particularly in ensuring that the game remains accessible and rewarding for all types of players. As Grinding Gear Games continues to iterate on these systems, player feedback will be crucial in shaping the future of Path of Exile's endgame.